The pump forces more air into the tanks until the pressure is
enough to throw the pump switch out of connection, when the pump
stops. I use the same thing here."
"And very clever it is," said Mr. Damon. "Do you suppose the
danger is all over, Tom?"
"For the time being, yes. But we must unship that damaged
propeller, and go on with the two."
The necessary orders were given, and several men from the
engine-room at once began the removal of the damaged blades.
As several spare ones were carried aboard one could be put on
in place of the broken one, had this been desired. But Tom
thought the accident a good chance to see how his craft would act
with only two-thirds of her motive force available, so he did not
order the damaged propeller replaced. When it was lowered to the
deck it was carefully examined.
"What made it break?" Ned wanted to know.
"That's a question I can't answer," Tom replied. "There may
have been a defect in the wood, but I had it all carefully
examined before I used it."
The propeller was one of the "built-up" type, with alternate
layers of ash and mahogany, but some powerful force had torn and
twisted the blades.
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